Rare Sperm Whale Ambergris find along our south coast as Ryan and Rebecca Clarke came across this incredible discovery, a once in a lifetime find! Ambergris is a substance that covers the sharp squid beaks that are consumed within the diet of a Sperm Whale. The coating is waxy like in substance and assists in protecting the Sperm Whales intestines from any damage that the sharp squid beaks could cause to the intestines during the digestive process. Once expelled from the Sperm Whale, ambergris has a tendency to float and can find its way onto beaches. Due to its excellent ability to retain scent, it was used heavily in the past as a fixative for perfumes and even to this day it still commands an extraordinary fee. Ryan and Rebecca Clarke were very kind to donate their find of ambergris to the Museum of the Great Southern so all who visit can marvel at this fascinating and rare discovery. In their own words, the Clarke’s described how they came across this once in a lifetime discovery.
On 15 April 2026, while walking our dogs and casting for salmon near the Prawn Rock Channel on Ocean Beach, Denmark, my family and I found a 328g mottled, marbled, aged ambergris specimen that had washed up on the sand.Simple tests (hot needle and float) were positive, and sunlight photos show the classic features: white powdery oxidation, golden-beige waxy layers, reddish inclusions, and several dark, hard, curved inclusions that appear to be embedded squid beaks.We reported the find to DBCA Albany and have decided to donate the specimen to the Museum of the Great Southern in Albany so this rare “treasure from the deep” can remain accessible to locals and visitors in the Great Southern region for public viewing and education.
